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A new kite is very exciting, and the temptation is to rush out and try and fly it as quickly as possible. However this is a mistake. A few minutes going through this setup procedure in a methodical manner, will save hours of pain later on when the kite won't fly as it should.
It’s sometimes worth doing the initial set up of the kite first in the garden or local park first, to avoid frustration at the flying site.
Line layout
The first aim is to get all four lines fully unwound from the winder they were supplied on and laid out directly downwind parallel to each other without crossing or tangles.
Unwind a few loops and use a ground stake (old screw driver works well) to secure all four loops at the ends of the lines. Walk upwind unwinding the lines as you go. The lines may have been wound either end over end, or in a figure of eight. If you unwind the lines in the same way, as they were wound then they come off without twists. However if you unwind a different way you will put hundreds of twists in the lines and have frustrating hours of patient untangling in front of you.
So the basic rule is unwind a few loops using one method, and if you see you are introducing twists, stop at once, and try a different method. There are three methods to try:
* Hold winder in left hand, use right to unwind the lines going round and round the winder
* Hold winder in right hand, use left to unwind the lines going round and round the winder
* Turn the entire winder end over end to unwind the lines
Unwind the lines fully and hopefully they will be untwisted. If they are twisted at all, pick them up in pairs, pull tight and apart. The twists will work their way down to the pegged out end. Doing this a few times and hopefully the lines should be separate. If not walk to the other end and un-peg them to undo the final few twist.
When done you should have all four lines separated, and laid out parallel.
Checking the lines
While the lines are pegged out its a good idea to check they are all the same length.
Then check each line itself for tight twisted loops or flaws. Walk along each line running it between your fingers, to find and investigate any changes in thickness.
Attaching the handles
The flying line sleeving will be color coded. The basic rule you MUST follow is:
* The thicker lines (green) are the power lines and connect to the top of the kite and handles
* The thinner lines (red) are the brakes and connect to the bottom of the kite and handles
Pansh kites use power and brake color coding, so one set of green powers and one set of red brakes. Each handle will have one green sleeved line for the powers and one red sleeved line for the brakes. Better to note that the powers are always the thicker lines.
The handles don’t come color coded. It is a VERY good idea to use a piece of tape or marker pen so you can instantly know which is which.
Use a Larks head knot, to attach each the lines to the handles in turn, making sure the thicker power line go to the top, and you know which is attached to left and right.
Lay the handles out on the ground with the brake ends together powers apart, and use a ground stake to peg down the loops behind the brake lines securely.
Laying out the kite
Walk back down the lines take the kite with you still in its bag. You can separate the lines either side of your body and through your fingers as you go as a final check.
Unroll your kite carefully and don't let it flap about. Use sand or water bottles on the trailing edge so it wouldn't blow away.
The bridle attachment points are usually secured with a simple larks head to one of the bridle lines in the middle of the kite. UNDO them one at a time. Do the brakes first, this will be the bridle with fewer lines, and attached to the trailing (back) edge of the kite.
The bridles should come apart easily and separate into main bridle and brake bridle. Sometimes there might be a twist to undo, or say the brake bridle has passed through a V leg of one of the main bridles. By holding them apart you should be able to see what need to go where to resolve any minor tangles.
Use a Larkshead knot, to attach each of the bridle end loops to the lines in turn. Ensuring you connect the Power lines to the top of the kite, and the brake lines to the bottom, and obviously Right to right and left to left
Walk backwards holding the middle of the kite, and it should pull out into its characteristic crescent shape, and as the wing catches the air intakes, sit up at half height like this
The kite should not take off as its is now held by the brakes at the handles. At this point it is important to do a final check. It is REALLY worth taking your time on this ...
* Check the lines are still parallel back to the handles, and right really is right!
* Look at every leg of the bridle to ensure there are no twists or loops.
* Its worth pulling on each connection of the bridle to ensure they are all seated correctly and not caught.
* Check and double check!
Walk back to the handles. The kite is now setup, ready for flight.
* Grab the handles with your index finger over the top of the leader line and your thumbs on top of the handles and give a slight tug. NOTE: It’s a good idea to sit down when launching in higher wind !!
Thank you to Pansh_Ebay_UK for the instructions!!
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